The week in photos: Oct. 16–22, 2023

As more and more leaves change to autumn hues, a red heart emerges atop a campus tree. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

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With a 10-year legacy of supporting students with disabilities, Alex’s Great State Race once again brought rival schools together to honor Alex Powell, an MSU student who passed away from cancer in 2011. Founded by Alex’s mother, Juliana Powell, the race takes Michigan State and University of Michigan ROTC cadets on a 64-mile relay race from one school to the other, with the mission of delivering the game ball for the MSU vs. U-M football game. Photo by Nick Schrader.

Stretching from the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor to MSU’s Demonstration Hall, Alex’s Great State Race not only brings rival schools together but helps raise funds that benefit students with disabilities. Raising over $174,000 since the inaugural race, the Alex Powell Spartan Experience Leadership Endowment provides supportive resources like tutoring, transportation assistance, mobility equipment and classroom needs coordination for students at both MSU and U-M. Photo by Garret Morgan.

As racers arrive at MSU’s Demonstration Hall, they are greeted by a crowd filled with joy, inspiration and a strong reminder of the legacy of Alex Powell — a Spartan with remarkable persistence and perseverance — keeping the flame of cooperation and community alive for another year. Photo by Nick Schrader.

Demonstration Hall, home to the MSU Army ROTC and practice site of the Spartan Marching Band, is glazed with rain on a chilly autumn day. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

A burnt orange leaf finds itself captured by a chain-link fence near Munn Field. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

A tree’s remaining leaves hang like a golden canopy next to Landon Hall. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

The Red Cedar River is ready for Halloween, as nighttime lights cast an eerie glow along its typically tranquil banks. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

A goalie keeps his eye on the ball as he prepares to shut out the other team during an intramural soccer game at Munn Field. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Members of the Spartan Marching Band stand guard during “Sparty Watch,” a half-century-long tradition of protecting The Spartan statue day and night throughout the week leading up to the MSU vs. U-M football game. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Circular patterns in the fence along West Circle Drive create a picture-perfect frame as a student walks to class. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.